Breeding Program & Kidding Management

Selective Breeding Program

Objectives:

Produce goats with excellent dairy conformation as defined by breed standards
Prioritize udder structure, teat placement, and rear attachments
Select for high milk production and long lactation curves
Preserve and improve upon existing elite dairy bloodlines
Breed for docile, social temperaments ideal for family farms and show participants

Breeding Process:

All breeding animals are registered with the CLRC and evaluated prior to pairing
Pairings are planned using pedigree analysis, linear appraisal data (if applicable), milk testing, and show records
Does are bred once per year unless special circumstances apply
Breeding season is typically September through January
Kidding season is planned from February through June to align with milking and show season

Kidding and Kid Management

Kidding Preparation:

Pregnant does moved to sanitized, bedded kidding pens 1 week prior to expected due date
Does receive Bo-Se injections 1 month prior to kidding to support muscle tone and kid viability
Kidding kits stocked with gloves, lubricant, iodine, towels, emergency colostrum, and oral calcium

At Birth:

Kids are dried immediately, navels dipped in 7% iodine, and monitored for proper nursing
Kids not nursing adequately are promptly bottle-fed colostrum

Bottle Feeding Protocol:

Day 1–3: Bottle-fed heat-treated colostrum or fresh colostrum from tested negative CAE does (4–5 feedings/day)
Week 1–2: Pasteurized goat milk (4x/day)
Week 2–6: Pasteurized milk (3x/day)
Week 6–10: 2x/day milk feeding, with access to hay, pellets, and fresh water
Weaning begins at 8–10 weeks, depending on health, weight, and growth